What the Chase Amazon Prime Visa card is and who it's for

The Chase Amazon Prime Visa card is a rewards credit card issued by Chase Bank that gives you cash back on purchases, with higher rewards rates at Amazon and Whole Foods. You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to open the card, but the rewards structure is built around Prime membership — if you are not a member, you lose access to the card's best benefit.

The card comes in two versions: the standard version and the Visa Signature version. Both charge an annual fee, though Chase waives the first year for new cardholders. The main difference is that the Visa Signature version includes additional perks like travel protections and concierge services, but it also costs more per year.

This card makes sense if you spend regularly at Amazon or Whole Foods and already pay for Prime membership. If you rarely shop at either place, or if you do not have Prime, a different rewards card will likely save you money.

Key Takeaways

  • The card offers 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods for Prime members, but only 1% cash back at those retailers if you do not have Prime.
  • You pay an annual fee each year (waived the first year), and the fee amount depends on which version of the card you choose.
  • Cash back rewards never expire as long as your account stays open, but you must redeem them — they do not post automatically to your statement.
  • The card charges a standard variable interest rate on balances you carry month to month, so carrying a balance costs you money even if you earn rewards.
  • You can use this card anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Amazon, though rewards are lower outside Amazon and Whole Foods.

How the rewards structure works

The card earns cash back at different rates depending on where you shop. At Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market stores, Prime members earn 5% cash back on purchases. Non-Prime members earn 1% at those same places. Everywhere else — gas stations, restaurants, other retailers — you earn 1% cash back on all purchases.

Cash back is not automatic. You accumulate it in your rewards account, and you decide when to redeem it. Most cardholders redeem as a statement credit (which reduces what you owe), but you can also redeem as an Amazon.com gift card balance. Rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing, so you can let them build up if you want.

The 5% rate at Amazon applies to purchases on Amazon.com and the Amazon app, but not to third-party sellers using Amazon's marketplace, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go, or other Amazon-owned services. Whole Foods purchases include in-store transactions only, not Whole Foods online orders. Read the terms carefully before assuming a purchase will earn the higher rate.

Annual fees and what they cover

Chase waives the annual fee for the first year you hold the card. After that, you pay an annual fee each year the account stays open. The exact amount depends on which version you choose — the standard version costs less than the Visa Signature version. You can look up the current fee amounts on Chase's website or call the number on the back of your card.

The annual fee is not negotiable, and Chase does not prorate it if you close the card mid-year. If you close the card before the second annual fee posts, you will not pay it. If the fee posts and you close the card later, you do not get a refund. Plan to close the card before the annual fee date if you decide it is no longer worth keeping.

Whether the annual fee is worth paying depends on how much you spend at Amazon and Whole Foods. If the 5% cash back you earn in a year exceeds the annual fee, the card pays for itself. If not, you are paying to use the card without getting value back.

Interest rates and how carrying a balance affects your rewards

The card charges a variable interest rate on any balance you do not pay off in full each month. This rate changes over time based on market conditions and your creditworthiness. The rate you receive depends on your credit score and credit history — Chase will tell you the specific rate when you open the card.

Carrying a balance is expensive. If you owe $1,000 and the interest rate is 20% annually, you pay roughly $200 per year in interest alone. Even if you earn 5% cash back on that $1,000 purchase, you lose money overall because the interest cost is higher than the reward. Only carry a balance if you plan to pay it off quickly, or if you are using a 0% introductory rate period (if the card offers one).

The card does not offer a 0% introductory rate on purchases or balance transfers, so interest starts accruing when ready on any unpaid balance. This is different from some other rewards cards, which offer a grace period before interest kicks in.

How to open the card and what information you need

You open the card by visiting Chase's website or calling Chase directly. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment information. Chase will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

Chase will tell you when ready whether you are approved, denied, or pending a decision. If you are approved, the card usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You set up it by calling the number on the back of the card or using the Chase mobile app.

Before you open the card, check your credit score. Chase typically approves applicants with good to excellent credit (usually 670 or higher), though approval is not may provide. If your score is lower, you may be denied or offered a different Chase card instead.

How this card compares to other Amazon rewards cards

Chase also offers the Amazon Business Prime Visa card, which is designed for business owners and has a different rewards structure. There is no separate "Amazon card" from Chase — the Amazon Prime Visa is the main consumer option.

Other banks issue rewards cards that compete with the Amazon Prime Visa. Some offer higher cash back rates in different categories (groceries, gas, dining), while others have no annual fee. The best card for you depends on where you spend most of your money. If you spend heavily at Amazon and Whole Foods and have Prime membership, the Amazon Prime Visa may be worth the annual fee. If you spend more at gas stations or restaurants, a different card might earn you more cash back.

Use a rewards calculator or comparison tool to estimate how much cash back you would earn in a year with each card, then subtract the annual fee. The card that leaves you with the most money in your pocket is the right choice for your situation.

What happens if you close the card or miss a payment

If you close the card, any cash back rewards you have not redeemed stay in your account for a limited time — usually 90 days after closure, though this varies. Redeem your rewards before you close the card to avoid losing them. After the grace period, unredeemed rewards are forfeited.

If you miss a payment, Chase reports the late payment to the credit bureaus after 30 days. This damages your credit score and can stay on your credit report for up to seven years. If you miss a payment by 60 days or more, Chase may close the account and send your debt to collections. If you are struggling to make payments, call Chase when ready — they may offer a hardship program or payment plan.

Closing the card does not hurt your credit score directly, but it does reduce the total credit available to you, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and lower your score slightly. Keep old cards open if possible, even if you are not using them actively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Amazon Prime to use this card?

No, you can open and use the card without Prime membership. However, without Prime you only earn 1% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods instead of 5%, which makes the annual fee much harder to justify. The card is designed for Prime members, and non-members usually come out ahead with a different rewards card.

Can I use this card outside the United States?

Yes, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted internationally. However, Chase charges a foreign transaction fee (usually around 3%) on purchases made outside the US. If you travel frequently, look for a card with no foreign transaction fees, or use this card only for domestic purchases.

What is the difference between the standard and Visa Signature versions?

The Visa Signature version includes travel protections, emergency card replacement, and concierge services. The standard version does not. The Visa Signature version costs more per year. Decide whether those extra benefits are worth the higher annual fee for your situation.

Can I transfer my cash back rewards to other accounts or use them for something other than Amazon?

You can redeem cash back as a statement credit (which reduces your bill) or as an Amazon.com gift card balance. You cannot transfer rewards to another bank account, another credit card, or a third-party service. If you want maximum flexibility with rewards, choose a card that lets you redeem as a direct deposit to your bank account.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Chase does not publish a minimum credit score requirement, but approval typically goes to applicants with good to excellent credit, usually 670 or higher. Your actual approval depends on your full credit profile, not just your score. If you are denied, you can call Chase to ask why and whether you can reapply later.